Patrick Hatch

A cash donation left at a charity's Melbourne office was so generous police thought it may have been linked to an armed robbery.

The $33,000 donation was made anonymously at Legacy's Swanston Street office on July 17, along with a note that read: "Thank you for your help over the years with my family."

Legacy offers care and support to the families of dead and incapacitated Australian Defence Force veterans.

The donation was made a day after an armed robbery at a jewellery store in Byron Street, Footscray, in which a large amount of cash and jewellery was stolen.

A 37-year-old Ardeer woman has been charged with armed robbery, intentionally causing injury, theft and introducing a drug of dependence.

Police believe a bag containing jewellery and about $70,000 of cash was dumped in a nearby street after the robbery and has not been recovered.

Advertisement

Investigators originally believed the charitable donation could have been linked to the missing cash, and released information to the media on Thursday morning.

The donor then attended a northern suburbs police station about 1.30pm and spoke to investigators.

"After conducting a number of checks to verify the legitimacy of the donation, police are satisfied that it is not linked in any way to an armed robbery in Footscray on July 16," a police spokeswoman said.

David Cull, CEO of Melbourne Legacy, said having the donation confirmed was great news for the charity.

"Legacy relies on the public for support and this donation will make a big difference," he said.